McDonald’s Tells Its Employees How to Live in Poverty

At first glance McResources seems like a great project designed to provide employees with information on health services and child/elder care, among other things. But some of the “recommendations” uncovered this week just look bad. Very bad.

Take two vacations a year to reduce the risk of heart attack (on minimum wage?)

Sing to reduce job stress

Chew gum to reduce your cortisol levels (what?)

Sell your stuff on eBay or Craigslist to overcome holiday debt

Click through for the site’s greatest hits:

“Breaking food into pieces often results in eating less and still feeling full.”

Oh God. After an earlier infographic showed us that most fast food employees have to use federal benefits because they don’t earn living wages, McD’s own words could serve as exhibit #1 in a push to change minimum wage laws around the country (not that this will actually happen).

We don’t know too much about the politics of advocacy group Low Pay Is Not OK, which produced this video and organized related strikes. But even those who don’t support the cause (hi, Rick Berman and Company) have to admit this “reveal” is very embarassing.

McDonald’s obviously didn’t intend for the “tips” to go public, but they probably should have made that assumption before posting, no?

One thing we do know: the chain isn’t going to change its policies unless state and federal governments force the issue. Should they address this story at all?